Sunshine Coast hosts CMC seminars on misconduct issues — 09.06.2006

The Crime and Misconduct Commission will hold seminars on the Sunshine Coast this week to help public sector agencies tackle corruption and deal with other types of misconduct.

The CMC will visit Caloundra for four days as part of its regional visits program which aims to equip public agencies with information and tools to help them prevent and deal with official misconduct.

CMC Director of Complaints, Helen Couper, says while the Commission is known more for its investigations and complaints handling, the less 'glamorous' work of strengthening the resistance of public agencies to corruption and their ability to handle official misconduct is just as vital.

‘We provide valuable resources such as advisory papers, toolkits and training material to help government agencies prevent and deal with different types of official misconduct within their organisation,’ Ms Couper said.

‘This side of the CMC’s work rarely gives rise to headlines, but without it we can’t successfully combat official misconduct in the workplace and enhance the culture and integrity in the public sector.’

‘Our regional visits program allows the CMC to bring its expertise in ethics, integrity and complaints resolution to areas outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area.’

‘While the CMC spends a lot of time building the ability of public agencies to handle misconduct, this has not made us neglectful of our traditional investigative role. There will always be a need for an independent body, like the CMC, to investigate the more serious, systemic and high-profile allegations of corruption,’ Ms Couper said.

During the four-day visit, the CMC will hold sessions for government departments, the public sector, local councils and universities on:

Practical Management – Misconduct

Implementing a Fraud and Corruption strategy

Tools and techniques in conflict of interest management and ethical decision making

The sessions begin on Wednesday 14 June and will be held at the Shearwater Resort, Kings Beach, Caloundra.

CMC officers will also meet with key stakeholder groups including law associations, Indigenous community groups and the Queensland Police Service.

Director of Complaints, Helen Couper, will be available for interviews this afternoon by telephone or in person during the four-day visit. While the information sessions aren’t open to the media, arrangements can be made for television footage and photographs.